Laredo man found guilty of downloading more than 2,000 child porn images faces 20 years in prison

The case unfolded March 20, 2018, when Homeland Security Investigations special agents launched a child pornography investigation at a home in the 9000 block of Sandhill Drive in the Winfield Subdivision.

The case unfolded March 20, 2018, when Homeland Security Investigations special agents launched a child pornography investigation at a home in the 9000 block of Sandhill Drive in the Winfield Subdivision.

Photo: Google Maps/Street View

Photo: Google Maps/Street View

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The case unfolded March 20, 2018, when Homeland Security Investigations special agents launched a child pornography investigation at a home in the 9000 block of Sandhill Drive in the Winfield Subdivision.

The case unfolded March 20, 2018, when Homeland Security Investigations special agents launched a child pornography investigation at a home in the 9000 block of Sandhill Drive in the Winfield Subdivision.

Photo: Google Maps/Street View

Laredo man found guilty of downloading more than 2,000 child porn images faces 20 years in prison

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A man accused of downloading more than 2,000 child pornography images has pleaded guilty in a Laredo federal court, authorities said Thursday.

Cristian Jose Castro, 22, allegedly downloaded the illicit material on two of his laptop computers, according to plea documents filed on Wednesday. He was charged with possession of child pornography.

Sentencing will be at a later date. Castro faces up to 20 years in prison. Castro was permitted to remain on bond, pending sentencing, according to court documents.

The FBI and Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation.

The case unfolded March 20, 2018, when Homeland Security Investigations special agents launched a child pornography investigation at a home in the 9000 block of Sandhill Drive in the Winfield Subdivision.

Special agents, Laredo police and the United Independent School District Police Department executed a search warrant on Dec. 7 at the residence. Castro was found at the residence. He allegedly agreed to speak to authorities without the presence of an attorney.

Castro stated he would view and download child pornography from the internet on to two of his laptop computers at his residence, states the arrest affidavit. He obtained the child pornography from certain messaging applications and file sharing programs, according to court documents.

"Castro stated he downloaded and viewed child pornography on both his laptop computers via the Internet because he knew it was taboo and illegal and adult pornography became boring," states the affidavit.

He stated he first saw child pornography when he was 9 years old. His most recent download for child pornography happened in November 2018, authorities said. The children in the illicit material were from 7 to 12 years old.

"Castro stated that the child pornography he downloaded would include infants and toddlers," states the affidavit.